Format: Paperback, 160 pages
Other Information: full colour photos & graphics throughout
Published In: United Kingdom
Available 1st January

"The Ultimate Guide to the Brompton Bicycle" tells the fascinating story behind one of the world's most unusual and popular folding bikes. It details how you can modify and convert your Brompton for such uses as child carrying and tackling hilly country as well as acting as a unique maintenance and repair manual, full of tips you won't find in any standard bike repair book. In short, everything you need to enjoy this incredible bike to the full. Written by a true expert on the subject, the book covers: a brief history of folding bikes, putting the Brompton in the context of previous developments; the story of how the Brompton came about - from a sketched idea by engineer and Brompton founder Andrew Ritchie, to a bike with major sales throughout the world today; Brompton specials - converting for use by children and multiple riders amongst many other uses; and, using and maintaining a Brompton - tips on caring for and repairing your cherished machine. "The Ultimate Guide to the Brompton Bicycle" will appeal to all those who love this iconic British brand including: Brompton riders & owners and other cyclists - especially those who are curious about the bike's background but also keen to use and maintain it correctly; designers - the Brompton is more than a bike and was used as a British icon in the London 2012 Olympic ceremony in Beijing; and, those who love a good British underdog story of success in the face of adversity.

About the Author

David Henshaw has edited and published A to B magazine, specialising in folding and electric bikes, since 1997 and helped Brompton establish its dealer network in the 1990s.
Publisher: Excellent Books
ISBN: 1901464229
EAN: 9781901464221
Dimensions: 21.0 x 14.0 centimeters

I am planning to order this book through a book store near the time of release. Now if Dahon would write and release it's own book.......

"....I don't have any interest in folding bicycles. I bought this because I've liked Tony Hadland's books so much. I'm glad I did buy it as I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It's amazing how old the folding bicycle is. We associate them with small wheels but the first was an "Ordinary" (known to some as a "Penny Farthing"). The large wheel separated into quadrants and the whole thing went into a quadrant shaped bag - actually rather neat.

The one I liked the best is Le Petit-Bi. This 1937 bicycle looks amazingly current with small wheels and a very compact design. The front wheel is turned backwards, then the handlebars fold down and the saddle comes down to reduce overall size, however the frame doesn't fold. In one picture there is a rack on the rear so it can be stood on its end and put against a wall thus taking up very little floor space. I think if this bicycle were produced today there would be a market for it.

Innovation and ingenuity are the primary elements of this book. It works through many folding bikes some well known, such as the Bickerton and the Brompton, others less well known like, er, The Bootie.

On pages 14-15, there is a description on the folder (In this case a Bromptom is used- but I could simply transfer and use the concepts over to my Dahon Boardwalk), a check-list of routine maintenance to be done on the bike, and the location of the repair/maintenance activity to be done elsewhere in the book. Each activity is then more clearly outlined and explained with both text and large color pictures of the job being performed. A glossary and index is also included in the back of the book. I borrowed one copy from the local library, but I recommend buying your own copy. The retail prices are for the US: $15.00, and for Canada: $20.00....."

Books on folding bikes specifically are few and far between. Do check your local public library for these books listed above (I bought my own "It's In The Bag" copy from a bicycle museum), plus other bike books that are out of print.

I would leave a nice note on the Christmas (or other holiday) card letting the intended gift receiver know that it is due to arrive on January 1, 2010. Or how about this book as an present for New Year Day?

One year when I was growing up, the presents from Santa Claus arrived on schedule, but the presents that were marked "from Mom and Dad" were late. They arrived in time to be given out on January 6 - Epiphany, sometimes known as Little Christmas or the Day of the Kings. That started a new tradition at our house that Mom and Dad's presents were always given on Little Christmas, which is kind of nice, as it stretches the holiday festivities the full twelve days of Christmas.